HomeAnswersHematologywhite blood cellsI am a 20-year-old male, and the WBC count in my routine blood tests is alarming. Please help.

What could be the reason for increased WBC count in a healthy 20-year-old male?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Chithranjali Ravichandran

Published At January 9, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 4, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old male who just completed my routine blood testing and received a WBC of 2.8. I have no symptoms nor fallen sick more than twice in the past year, but the WBC count is alarming. I am just developing anxiety about the fact that it may be cancer. So please help me with your thoughts.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to iCliniq.com.

Low WBC (white blood cell) count alone is more related to an immunocompromised state than to leukemia.

It can also be caused by vaccinations, symptomatic infections, physical stress, and mixed micronutrient deficiency. Your WBC level is low but not clinically significant. So build up your vitamin B12, folic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin D, zinc, and iron levels for a couple of months and repeat CBC (complete blood count) test.

The word leukemia means white blood cell cancer in peripheral blood. Leukemia is a relatively old term. Nowadays, it is called hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasm. A good share of circulating white cells comes from lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, etc. And the rest of the cells come from bone marrow. Lymphoid tissue is present all over the body, even in the intestine, lungs, liver, etc. The neoplasms of lymphocytes white blood cells are called lymphomas which are rarely present in the blood. They are present in lymphoid tissue. However, they do infiltrate blood and bone marrow at some later stages (stage 4 disease). Now, there are certain neoplasms arising from bone marrow. They are myeloid leukemia or lymphoid leukemias. They are most of the time present in peripheral blood. In addition, leukemias and lymphoma are not merely the presence of certain types of abnormal cells. It is a whole package, comprising anemia, leukopenia or leukocytosis, high ESR, thrombocytopenia, unexplained fever, weight loss, arthralgias and myalgias, bone pain, etc. These are diagnosed using bone marrow biopsy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and radiological surveying. These are treated with chemotherapies selected according to the type of cells involved in lesions.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the detailed reply.

I got tested again, and my WBC came back to 4.07. However, I am worried that the results are due to extreme stress and hypertension.

Hi,

Welcome back to iCliniq.com.

I think there is nothing to worry about. Your results came back normal. Ease out now.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mubashir Razzaq Khan
Dr. Mubashir Razzaq Khan

Hematology

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